- Joined
- Oct 2, 2008
- Messages
- 4,354
Winston Churchill said, "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often."
This division has been changing in recent months and it will continue to change. Not because it was wrong or bad before, but because I believe change is the path to improvement.
Since joining eGO, I have tried to help facilitate positive change. Since becoming leadership and then DL, I have been given more opportunities to have direct control over the decision-making processes that lead to change. I consider this a great honor and it is not something I take lightly. I do not make these decisions without careful deliberation and without consulting my fellow leadership team and also listening to what members have to say on certain matters.
This division is experiencing a metamorphosis. Just as the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, we will change appearance, while still being the same. One division, changing shape, growing into something new.
During the transition stage, the caterpillar becomes a pupa. This chrysalis is not really all that attractive. It's closed, boring and on the outside, it may appear like nothing is really going on. However, big changes are taking place inside. Cells are growing rapidly and the pupa is preparing for a beautiful butterfly to emerge.
Our division has been in the pupa stage. We are preparing to emerge as something strong and wonderful.
Change in the insect world is expected and even applauded. For humans, it is not always so easy. This is especially true if those changes are taking place in a community where we feel happy and safe. Change threatens the security that we feel here.
Why is change so difficult for people? Resistance.
Resistance is part of the human condition. Resistance is often rooted in fear. Resistance to change is often because of fear of change. With fear, we see a fight-or-flight response.
Our community is no exception. Some people will fight against the changes, or rebel. Some people will leave, either because they are unwilling to adapt to the change, or because they fear the idea of change. Some leave because it simply doesn't fit them anymore and that is completely their right to choose.
It's always unfortunate when people leave the community. I know I feel a personal sadness each time we lose a member. That said, change is necessary. I will be diligent in creating the types of change that this division needs to grow and succeed as a place that is fun and friendly for all. I know that my fellow leadership seek the same goals.
There will be some who resist. I do not blame them. As I said above, resistance is part of the human condition. However, I have a duty to protect this division and if things get out of hand, we will do what is needed to ensure peace and order is restored and maintained.
The most effective approach to resistance is compassion. There is always some wisdom in the resistance, just as there is wisdom in fear. Fear acts as a self-defense mechanism. Fear when it acts as danger management helps protect us. It keeps us from doing stupid things that will harm us.
Yet sometimes fear causes us to react in ways that are irrational. Fear in numbers only perpetuates this problem. Have you ever seen a group of people spook themselves telling ghost stories by a campfire at night? It's a similar concept.
When people are afraid or confused by change and they huddle together, whispering rumors about this or that, it creates a negative energy. This can affect the way you perceive things, causing one to believe that things are worse than they really are or that there are big problems that don't actually exist.
We will always try to be transparent with you. We will always try to keep you in the loop of what is happening and why, especially when it pertains directly to you. That said, we also need your help. We need members who are willing to participate wholly and fully, in whatever capacities they are able (no matter how small).
We need members who truly want to see this division be a better place, a safe place and a fun place for all. There is no room for drama, no room for back-stabbing, no room for bullying and no room for name-calling.
As our History and Structure page says, "This clan's foundation rests on honor, loyalty, and integrity. There is a heavy emphasis on maturity, fair play, helping others and having a fun and competitive gaming experience that all can enjoy."
As a division, we need to get back to our roots and remember why we are all here and what this community is supposed to be about.
It is my personal mission to lead to the best of my ability with humility, integrity, collaboration, justice, courage, temperance, accountability, humanity, transcendence, and good judgment. I have challenged my fellow leaders to do the same.
I invite you each to help us with the growth of this division.
This is not my community. This is not leadership's community. This is your community. I implore you to be a positive, active member of your community.
There are many ways to do this. The simplest way is to play the game. Play and have fun. Show kindness to your fellow members. Be friendly to players on our servers. Join us in Teamspeak and get to know your fellow members. Participate in the forums. Show compassion and respect while doing so. Acknowledge that we all have different personalities, backgrounds, hobbies and quirks but we all share one thing in common: Team Fortress 2 and this community.
If you have thoughts, ideas or suggestions for improving this community, don't be shy. If you see someone doing something wrong (even if that someone is a leadership member) don't be afraid to point it out. We all make mistakes and leadership is not immune. We must all be held accountable for our actions in order to change in a positive way.
We also need your active participation. If you see someone doing something admirable, tell us about it so we can award them and thank them. If you have an idea that might improve the division or a plan for something fun we can do, tell us about it. We need you!
We also want to hear about how we can improve. Participate in divisional meetings. Admins, come and participate in Admin Round Tables. Use the private forums for Gs, Os and our sub-groups to communicate with your fellow members and facilitate ideas. Everything you need is at your disposal. The tools are here. We need simply to pick them up and use them.
Remember that complaints alone don't fix problems. Solutions fix problems. Action fixes problems.
Constructive criticism is always welcome. You may send this to me directly, to any leadership member or preferably, in the Dropbox. I can't promise you that every suggestion will be implemented but I can promise you that every concern or suggestion will be heard and considered. I can promise you that I will listen and I do care.
It is always your choice to make. You can choose to help create positive change in this community. You can choose to be a part of the good things to come. You can choose to make this community a better place because you are in it. We value you. We appreciate you and we will work harder to show you this on a regular basis.
Thank you all for being part of the TF2 Division.
Remember, the caterpillar does not become a butterfly in one day.
~ IP
